The Portland daily press., 1887-04-14
A sAwpUsT swINDLER EoILEp.
His Victim Becomes Suspicious and
Causes His Arrest.

FALL RIVER, Mass, April 12.-Among the
passengers who arrived in this city from
New York on the steamer Pilgrim this morn
ing were two men, each about 50 years of
age. One of them was of medium height
and wore dark brown clothes, while his com
panion was of more digniied appearance,
tall in stature and apparently respectable
business man. The latter, while consulting
the wishes of the former. never separated
from him and watched his every movement
When they left the boat and walked toward
the train, the smaller of the two approached
Officers Deyine and Riley and told them that
the man with him was a swindler and fraud
whom he could not get rid of. The officers
accompanied the men to the police station,
where the victim of the alleged swindle de-
scribed himself as Hiram Evans of Kezar
Falls, York county, Me. Four months ago
he received confidential letter from New
York, offering to make him a rich Eman by
the simple operation of disposing of counter
felt money, or s.green goods" The offer
was repeated, and Evans concluded to see
what was in the glittering promises. He
went to New York and maze an inyestiga-
ton that apparently satisfied him of the
sincerity of the schemers. While disposed
to make purchase, he was without the
necessary money, and returned to his home
In Maine. He continued to receive letters
and was finally induced to visit the metrop-
errand he stopped in this city and deposited
$500 in the Metacomet Bank, as he feared
that he might be waylaid and robbed when
he reached New York. On Saturday night
he proceeded to that city, aud on arriving
Sunday called at 391 East Tenth street, a
private residence occupied by man giving
his name as Thomas Lanning. An appoint
ment was made for Monday, and Evans
called at place that looked like a railroad
ticket office. The documents which the
Maine man produced established his identity
with the correspondent to whom they were
addressed, and the business was at once
stated. There were six or seven men in the
office, among them being fellow who was
called by turns Roberts and Simpson. After
the bargain had been made small valise
was secured and roll of bills deposited
therein, but this valise was subsequently
substituted for another. Evans observed
the manipulations by the swindlers and be-
came suspicious. Roberts accompanied the
willing victim to the Park Bank to have a
check cashed, but as nobody could identify
him the money was not handed over. This
was an unexpected setback and it was de-
cided that Roberts should accompany Evans
to this city and obtain the money from the
Metacomet Bank. They departed on the
Pilgrim Monday afternoon. The swindler
kept close watch on the dupe, but the lat
ter managed to elude his vigilance during
lue nlSnt, tdnu SOugnC the DagBagemdSter.
He told the latter that he wanted to get his
valise, but the boat official explained that it
was against the rules to remove baggage
during the voyage. The urgency of the case
was represented, and the valise was handed
over. When opened it was found to contain
two newspapers and quantity of coal. This
discovery led Evans to decide not to pay the
money. Roberts was perfectly cool when
questioned by the Marshal, and maintained
that he was ignorant of all wrongdoing. AS
no money had passed between the two he
was let go. Evans afterward obtained the
money he had on deposit in the Metacomet
Bank and departed for Boston.